I got this message from a piercee who is having trouble with a labret (lip) piercing:

I got my labret pierced on the 3rd of december, and in the last couple days the skin on the inside of my piercing has grown (like a white flap on the bottom of the disc about 1mm tall) that rests next to the disc. i don't know whether it would be growing over it, i have a 10mm long stem which i thought is long enough, but i would still like your opinion

I told her that if she thinks the tissue is growing over the jewelry, she should should see her piercer IMMEDIATELY for a jewelry change! I also explained that I couldn't really evaluate a piercing without seeing it--or at least a photo or two. I requested that she send some clear, close up images, and I received these (below). They do show that the post is long enough so she is not in danger of the jewelry becoming embedded (which is a risk when a piercing is healing if the jewelry is too short).

I just got this awesome review of The Piercing Bible on the guestbook page but had to share it here on my blog, too:

Elayne Angel has written a “must have” book for anyone interested in any type of piercing. The Piercing Bible is crammed with information to help you clearly understand all aspects of your piercing experience, including;piercing terms, safety, finding a qualified piercer, after-care and living with your piercing.

Elayne shares her vast knowledge from her lifetime of professional experience in a totally accessible way. It's a fun, fast, interesting read and I couldn't put it down. I thoroughly enjoyed reading her book and highly recommend that anyone with 1 or 100 piercings keep this book as a permanent reference guide.

Be sure to check out her videos too. It's great knowing what to expect before I ever walk into a piercing studio and I've discovered all kinds of fun piercings to consider in my personal body mod journey.

I knew my book would be very informative, but I wasn't as confident that anyone would actually enjoy reading it. So when I get this type of feedback and people say they enjoyed reading it and "couldn't put it down" that tickles my fancy and puts a smile on my face!

Thank you for writing such a fabulous book ~ can't put it down. It is informative and easy read, H.

I bought your book. Wow, I knew it would be very informative, but I wasn't expecting such depth. It is definitely aptly titled. I'm glad I got it.

Thanks for all the info, I'll join the mailing list.

Have a great weekend,

R.

Subject: BookHey there Elayne, i just want to say congratulations on such an amazing book. My name is Eden, i am a professional body piercer from New Zealand. So informative, exactly what is needed in the industry, thanks again for the great read and again, well done :-)E.

I love all of your work and love learning what you have to teach. I was thrilled when I learned you had a facebook page! Thank you for sharing all your insight and knowledge with the world. ~Leah

Elayne, I just wanted to say thanks for my vch piercing! I love it so much!

DO NOT Buy The Piercing Bible

It made my stomach drop. I thought I was about to read my first bad review. Then it went on: Do not waste your time buying the Piercing Bible if you have done over 40,000 piercings, was a medical liaison to the Association of Professional Piercers, and ran the only body piercing studio in the French Quarter in New Orleans for 12 straight years. Also, do not waste your time buying the Piercing Bible if you simply want to continue sucking at being a piercer or a piercee. And I began to realize that it was actually a very positive review! It went on: If you have done all of the above things, than your name must be Elayne Angel; author of The Piercing Bible and you should probably just ignore this post as it will be completely useless to you.If you answered no to ANY of the above questions and you want to be a better piercer or piercee, than you need to get this book. Period. I don’t care if you’ve done 39,999 piercings and this afternoon you’ll hit your 40,000th with that belly button you have booked…you still need to get this book.

I spent a fantastic day yesterday piercing at Anomaly Body Piercing in Pasadena, CA. It was a blast, and everyone was really great. My first appointment of the day (and the first piercing I performed in several months!) was a 10 gauge ampallang. It went very smoothly, and this is an email I just received from the piercee:

Elayne,
I just wanted to let you know how excited I was to have you do my ampallang yesterday.
I have got so much out of your book as well as getting a feel for the person you are, someone quite intelligent, passionate and dedicated to her craft. Upon meeting you it's easy to see that you are all of that and a lot more.
I love the piercing, I think it looks totally 'hot'. I haven't been able to stop looking at it!!
And your placement was 'exactly' where I wanted it. It has been bleeding just a bit but otherwise it feels fine.
I could not believe that it didn't hurt nearly as bad as what I was anticipating, but I can imagine that having this piercing done with someone not as skilled could indeed make it much more traumatic.
Thank you again!!!!
Mike

My debut of The Piercing Bible at the annual conference for the Association of Professional Piercers was a huge hit! I sold hundreds of books (all of them that I'd brought with me!) and signed even more. Some of the attendees had already received copies they had ordered online, and they brought them for me to sign.
It was the happiest I've ever felt while suffering from a case of writer's cramp.
Next is the book signing at Antebellum Gallery on May 16 from 7-9 pm. I can't wait!
I just got this IM'd from a piercer on Facebook:

Thanks again and your contribution to MY job and livelihood has never for once been taken for granted. its because of people like you, the REAL pioneers, that have given me the job i am into right now. thanks again.

I was looking at The Piercing Bible on Amazon.com and I saw that another great reader review has been added. As of right now, there are four of them posted there, and they ALL have 5 out of 5 stars!

5.0 out of 5 stars "Buy it"!
By: Mike (Los Angeles) -
If you are mildly interested in having something pierced or a bit more serious about it, whether it be an earlobe or an intimate bodypart, if it's your first piercing or you've had several, you owe it to yourself to get Elayne Angel's book. She covers every facet of this subject, from just the anticipation of having it done to the actual procedure, including finding the right piercer, as well as the necessary aftercare and commitment involved to have a happy and healthy piercing. Her vast knowledge and experience are brought into words in a way that is easy to understand and refreshing to read. She covers every piercing located on the body that you can imagine, complete with its procedure, recommendations for initial guage and type of jewelry, as well as healing and aftercare information. Also covered are the stereotypes and myths that have been attached to this subculture. She shows that if you are at all interested in becoming a piercee, it may serve to alleviate any apprehensions you've had when you come to realize that people of all ages and walks of life enjoy having a bit of metal somewhere on their body, perhaps someone you would never even suspect. Just buy it, you'll be glad you did.

I'm absolutely thrilled that the people who have been reading my book are enjoying it and finding it useful and informative.